Lost In Tyme Blog

Lamp of the Universe - 2001 - The Cosmic Union

(New Zeland psych sitar folk)

Tracks :

1 Born in the Rays of the Third Eye

2 Lotus of a Thousand Petals

3 In the Mystic Light

4 Give Yourself to Love

5 Freedom in Your Mind

6 Her Cosmic Light

7 What Love Can Bring

8 Tantra Asana

Craig Williamson / all instruments & vocals

"The Cosmic Union is an album that beautifully highlights the ethereal psychedelic oneness of our time here on planet earth. A time that was touched on, albeit briefly, during the hippy era before the majors turned it into a money making venture. On 'The Cosmic Union' Craig Williamson (Lamp of the Universe) plays all the instruments, has written the lyrics and sings the beautiful cosmic vocals. This album will appeal to fans of Donovan, S.T.Mikael & the Incredible String Band as well as the cosmic guitar style of Manuel Gottsching of Ash Ra Tempel. Featuring cosmic peaceful lyrics, sitar, tabla, Guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, synthesizer & Rainstick."

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Lamp Of The Universe is a solo project from Datura bassist and vocalist Craig Williamson. What a surprise! For those of you who don't know them, Datura are a heavy Stoner rock band, while Lamp Of The Universe is a gorgeously lulling cosmic trip into a paisley colored psychedelic land of celestial ragas from Williamson's guitars, sitar, synths, and tablas. We're talking track titles like "Lotus Of A Thousand Petals" and "Tantra Asana". Believe me, these describe the music on The Cosmic Union perfectly. Lightly strumming acoustic guitars and sitars drift throughout as the tablas and other percussion keep a simple but effective psychedelic pace. Williamson's vocals are equally light and drifting making for the perfect marriage with his music. Lots of beautifully meandering jams that will open your mind for exploring the alternate realms that you travel with Williamson to. There are aggressive moments too, particularly on "In The Mystic Light" which sounds like a jam off Amon Düül's Yeti album. And love that organ and shimmering guitar on "Freedom In Your Mind". Actually, though this might seem to be a 360 degree flip from Datura, that band really is far more psychedelic than most Stoner bands, and the epic track "Mantra" on Datura's Visions For The Celestial CD is in many ways really a heavier version of what we hear on The Cosmic Union. HIGHLY recommended to fans of deep space flower power psychedelia. Note that Cranium Music has released The Cosmic Union in a numbered run of 500, but are interested in licensing the CD for release outside of New Zealand.

Link deleted by request of Astral Projection New Zealand
There is a resent reissue ! So, you should consider bying it.
Buy : CD, LP